How To Do a Basic Sun Salutation

Inhale into the Arms Reaching Upward Pose, extending your arms overhead, bringing your palms together, and expanding your chest.

Exhale into the Standing Forward Bend, bringing your chest toward your thighs and your hands toward the floor.

Inhale into the Lunge Pose, placing your hands on the mat on either side of your right foot as you lunge your left leg straight back behind you. Expand your chest as you lengthen your spine.

Exhale into the Plank Pose, stepping your right leg back so your feet are now side by side. Look straight at the floor, keeping your arms extended and your body straight. Hold this pose for 3 to 5 full breaths.

Exhale, slowly dropping your knees to the floor. Untuck your toes, bring your hips back to your heels, and lower your head to the floor with your arms still extended in front of you.

Inhale, slowly bringing yourself up on all fours.

Exhale, slowly bending your elbows and lowering your chest and chin to the floor so your hands, knees, and feet are touching the mat.

Inhale into the Upward Facing Dog Pose, pushing your head and ribcage up off the mat by fully extending your arms as you press the tops of your feet into the ground. Your thighs and hips should rise a few inches above the mat.

Exhale into the Downward Facing Dog Pose, tucking your toes and lifting your hips up and back so that you’re bearing your weight on the balls of your feet. This should create an upside-down V shape with your body. Relax your neck and allow the weight of your head to lengthen your spine.

Inhale into the Lunge Pose again, stepping your left foot forward.

Exhale into the Standing Forward Bend again, stepping your right foot forward next to your left foot so your weight is on both feet.

Inhale into the Arms Reaching Upward Pose again.

Exhale, completing the Sun Salutation by returning to the Mountain Pose. The sun says right back at ya.